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Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT)

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Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) - formerly known as forced use therapy - is a modern form of therapy for children aged 6 months to 16 years with half-sided paralysis (hemiparesis). The aim of the intensive therapy, which lasts two weeks, is to improve arm and hand motor skills. The children should be able to use their affected arm or hand more effectively again in everyday activities.

Occupational therapy at the UKBB offers CIMT in a group for school children and adolescents (during school holidays). Individual sessions can be arranged for children under the age of 4.

CIMT is individually tailored to the abilities and difficulties of the children and young people concerned. The therapy consists of the following components with varying degrees of emphasis:

Restriction of the healthy hand with the aid of a splint
Motor exercises for the affected hand with adapted increases
Two-handed activities (without fine motor use of the healthy hand)
Use of hand splints, tapes and other aids

Registration and preparation

Parents can register their child for CIMT directly with the occupational therapy department at UKBB if they have a doctor's prescription for occupational therapy. After registration, they will receive information about the next possible appointments and the next steps.

Before therapy begins, occupational therapy at the UKBB uses a special procedure (Assisting Hand Assessment, AHA) to test each child's motor skills. This test shows how well the child can manipulate objects with both hands.

Procedure of the therapy

CIMT group therapy lasts two weeks.
During this time, the children must wear their healthy arm in a splint for six hours a day (restriction) so that the affected arm is mainly used.
For two of these six hours, the children attend occupational therapy group therapy at the UKBB.
Together with the occupational therapists, targeted training is used to improve strength, coordination, movement and body awareness.
Approximately 6 weeks after completion of therapy, occupational therapy at UKBB tests the progress of each child's motor skills using the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA).

Experience shows that group therapy has numerous advantages for the participating children: Firstly, they can help each other. On the other hand, they realise that they are not alone with their problems. In addition, having fun together and a playful approach to the exercises are the best prerequisites for learning and for changes in movement behaviour.

Conditions of participation in group therapy

To be able to actively participate in the group, the children should have minimal gripping function in the affected hand and be at least four years old.

Important information

For children and young people aged 4 and over, there is usually one CIMT group per year during the Basel-Stadt school holidays.
For children under the age of four, occupational therapy at UKBB offers CIMT in the form of individual therapies.
To register for a CIMT individual or group therapy session, you must have a doctor's prescription for occupational therapy.